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Crispy and golden zucchini corn fritters packed with sweet corn, sharp cheddar, fresh zucchini, and a golden crust with a soft, juicy inside. Perfect as a snack, side dish, or light main.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups grated zucchini, thoroughly squeezed out
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup chopped sweet onion
  • 1½ cups fresh or frozen (thawed) corn
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Grate zucchini and spread in a thin layer on a paper towel–lined surface; top with another paper towel and press to squeeze out as much moisture as possible, let rest 10 minutes, then set aside.
  2. If using frozen corn, thaw and drain it well.
  3. Whisk together all-purpose flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
  4. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat; sauté chopped onion, corn, and minced garlic until onions are translucent and corn is tender, about 3–5 minutes, then remove from heat.
  5. Add the drained zucchini, warm onion-and-corn mixture, shredded cheddar, egg, and milk to the dry ingredients and stir until a thick batter forms.
  6. Wipe out the skillet, pour oil about 1/4 inch deep, and heat over medium until shimmering.
  7. Drop about 1/4 cup batter per fritter into the hot oil and gently flatten each into a disk, cooking 3–4 at a time.
  8. Fry fritters until golden and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side, flipping once.
  9. Transfer cooked fritters to paper towels to drain excess oil and keep warm while cooking the remaining batter.

Notes

Ensure zucchini is thoroughly squeezed to remove excess moisture to prevent soggy fritters., Thoroughly thaw and drain frozen corn before use., Check oil temperature by dropping a small amount of batter; it should sizzle steadily but not smoke., Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even browning and consistent oil temperature., Adjust batter consistency by adding more flour/cornmeal if too runny or more milk if too thick., Keep cooked fritters warm on a wire rack or in a gentle oven to maintain crispness., Different cheeses like gouda, parmesan, or gruyere can be used as flavorful substitutes., For gluten-free versions, substitute with gluten-free flour and ensure cornmeal is gluten-free., For dairy- or egg-free versions, use plant-based milk, egg replacers like flax or chia eggs, and dairy-free cheese with possible additional binder., Fritters can be made ahead and reheated in a pan, air fryer, or oven to retain crispiness., Freeze cooled fritters in a single layer, store in an airtight container for up to 3 months, and reheat in oven or air fryer.

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